On Thursday, the German firm BioNTech denied being in talks with Thonburi Healthcare Group Plc to sell millions of its Covid-19 jabs.
In a statement sent to Reuters news agency, BioNTech said it was not in “negotiations with the company mentioned about vaccine supply.”
Earlier Thursday, Thonburi Healthcare Group Plc said a private deal would be signed to obtain 20 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Company chairman Boon Vanasin later told Reuters that it would sign a private order with German firm BioNTech, which teamed up with Pfizer to develop the mRNA vaccine.
Soon after, the hospital operator’s share price soared over 13.45% at noon, with a benchmark index 0.62% higher in the previous plan’s reports.
THG.BX shares were still up 12.61% around 03:15 p.m., despite BioNTech’s statements.
Thailand, which is still in its mass vaccination campaign’s early stages, faces its worst wave of coronavirus infections since the pandemic began.
Authorities have relied on Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines.
However, they have received massive requests to offer better jabs, specifically mRNAs, amid concerns about their efficacy against the new Covid-19 variants.
The government has said that most mRNA-based vaccines would not arrive until this year’s final quarter.
But Mr. Boon, who has openly criticized the national vaccine’ rollout, claimed he had ordered five million doses this month.
He added that a licensed importer would make the deal’s announcement, stating: “I want it to conclude this week or next.”
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) said it had filed a defamation lawsuit against Mr. Boom for criticizing the state drugmaker’s role in acquiring Moderna’s shots.
